Winding core for textile yarn packages



H. DEUSSEN Filed July 3, 1962 1NVENTOR. M5L uur DEUSSEN E 7' 7'0 R NE Y Nov. 24, 1964 WINDING CORE FOR TEXTILE YARN PACKAGES gni Unted States Patent C) 3,1%,335 WlNDlNG CQRE FR TEXTLE YARN PACKAGES Helmut Deussen, Charlotte, N.C., assigner to American Schlafhorst Company, inc., a corporation of North Carolina Filed lluly 3, 1962, Ser. No. 207,277 11 Claims. (Cl. 242-172) This invention relates generally to winding cores such as are used in considerable quantities by textile mills for supporting or carrying yarn packages as a means of presenting the yarn for handling at or delivery through particular manufacturing operations, and the invention is concerned more specifically with a uniquely arranged winding core of this sort having exceptionally improved yarn delivery characteristics.

Such winding cores are extensively employed in conical form to provide a conically tapered yarn package from which the yarn delivery may take place from the small end of the core by withdrawal in the general direction of the core axis, and it is common practice to tie the trailing terminal yarn end of a package from which the delivery withdrawal is to start with the leading or starting yarn end of a reserve package so that transfer will occur upon exhaustion of the active package to contiiue delivery withdrawal from the reserve package without interruption. In order for Vsuch transfer to take place properly, however, the yarn withdrawal must continue delivery withdrawal from the reserve package withjust prior to the point of transfer, and there has heretofore been a persistent and troublesome difficulty characteristically encountered in this respect.

This diiiiculty results largely from the conflicting necessities of arranging the windings of a conical yarn package securely enough so that they will stay in place on the supporting core, while at the same time providing for withdrawal of these windings freely in the course of delivery. If the windings are not arranged securely enough, they will tend to slough during run-o so as to foul and cause the end being delivered to break before transfer can occur. On the other hand, if the windings are arranged too securely, there is danger of the delivery tension becoming so great at times as to break the end down ahead of transfer. Both of these conditions are rendered even more critical when the delivery must take place in an intermittent manner, as when the weft supply is fed from conical packages in certain types of looms.

According to the present invention, these opposing con- .ditions are balanced compatibly by providing a conical winding core having a winding surface which is substantially relieved in a pattern that preserves adequate winding drum contact continuously about the circumference of the winding core, so that the winding operation by which a warn package is built on the core may proceed effectively in a normal manner; while at the same time presenting a significantly modified winding surface which results in shortening appreciably the beginning wraps of a yarn package being built on the core (i.e., the wraps that are particularly subject to sloughing and fouling at run-off) in relation to the length that these wraps would assume if the winding surface were continuously conical, so that any given beginning wrap by reason of such shortening must in effect be stretched in order to slip or slough on the core and induce fouling.

The result of a winding more arrangement such as the present invention provides is a very substantially improved yarn delivery performance that allows transfer to occur with excellent regularity. This winding core arrangement is also equally applicable for use in other types of winding cores having a winding surface formed by a surface of revolution of any sort, as will appear further from the more detailed description that follows ICC in relation to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a representative conical embodiment to the invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation illustrating more or less diagrammatically the arrangement of a conical winding core according to the present invention, and having the general path of the first two beginning wraps of a yarn package indicated thereon;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional detail taken substantially at the line 2-2 in FIG. 1, and illustrating more particularly the nature of the winding surface configuration employed according to the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a further vertical section detail taken sub stantially at the line 3 3 in FIG. 2.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a conical winding core, as designated generally by the reference character 10, having circumferential grooves 12 and 14 formed adjacent each end for anchoring the end loops of the beginning yarn windings that result as the winding traverse reverses in placing the successive windings on the core 10. Below the lower end grooves 14, an additional groove l is provided to allow a transfer tail of adequate length to be wrapped thereat, and a securing notch 18 is located at the bottom edge of the core 10 in which the trailing end portion of the transfer tail may be lodged so as to be held against disarrangement while remaining readily accessible whenever a transfer tie is to be made with an associated reserve package.

Between the end grooves 12 and 14, the winding surface of the core 10 is congurated predominantly with a pattern of substantially flattened portions 20 in the manner and for the purpose that have already been noted generally. In the arrangement shown, these flattened portions 20 are substantially rectangular in outline, and are arranged in a substantialcheckerboard pattern predominantly throughout the winding surface.

Because the illustrated core 10 is conical, the flattened portions 20 are not truly rectangular, but have the correspondingly tapered shape that results from arranging them vertically or lengthwise of the core 10 in substantially 60 sections of the winding surface. If the conical taper of core 10 were greater than is illustrated (3-30), then the flattened portions 20 would of course deviate in a proportionately further extent from a true rectangular form; and, if the winding surface had the form of any other surface of revolution, the flattened portions 20 would necessarily assume a corresponding shape in outline, being truly rectangular only when the core 10 was cylindrical. In any such instance, however, the flattened portions 20 would still retain in substance the same purpose and function as if they were truly rectangular, and are accordingly referred to as being substantially rectangular.

Alternatively, these ilattened positions 20 might be shaped with other characteristic outlines for the purposes of the present invention. Thus, they might be circular, or diamond shaped, or have any other geometric form desired. The rectangular form is the simplest and most convenient to use, and allows the invention to be practiced to the best advantage under normal circumstances, so that it is employed in illustrating and describing the invention. v

The substantial checkerboard pattern of the flattened portions 20 that is illustrated in the drawings provides an advantageous balance between the aggregate relief of the Winding surface andthe remaining portion thereof that is left undisturbed for winding drum contact. Adequate winding drum contact must, of course, be afforded continuously about the circumference of the core 10` in order to obtain satisfactory `winding action. Also, any

relief of thev winding surface that results in subjecting the beginning wraps of a textile yarn package to unduly localized pressure by the winding drum contact as they are being wound on the core lil is highly objectionable, as a likely means of impressing weak spots in the yarn that tend to break readily during the run-oit stage.

For both of the foregoing reasons, an entirely continuous winding surface is desirable from the standpoint of arranging for winding drum contactk alone. However, when the flattened portions 20 are arranged in the presently illustrated checkerboard pattern, somewhat more than 50% of the winding surface remains undisturbed for Winding drum contact, which has proved fully adequate; and the checkerboard pattern can be readily arranged for avoiding unduly localized pressure points of the yarn by spacing the flattened portions 2t) laterally in the manner illustrated, so that the winding drum pressure never bears at less than substantially 50% of the winding surface as it transfers between the staggered contact areas presented by the checkerboard pattern.

In the illustrated checkerboard pattern, it will be seen that the flattened portions 20 are proportioned so that adjacent top and bottom sides are aligned circumferentially of the core 10, while the adjacent vertical or lengthwise sides are spaced closely but sullciently to provide for the previously noted transferring application of the winding drum pressure continuously about the core 10. The particular pattern illustrated may be varied considerably according to the balance desired in the winding surface and the circumstances of intended use. Thus, the flattened portions 2G may be extended or shortened in the lengthwise direction for respectively increasing the extent of relief or the proportionate winding drum contact provided by the winding surface. Also, as mentioned previously, the winding surface relief may take the form of other geometric shapes if desired. The illustrated checkerboard pattern, however, is a preferred arrangement and, therefore, serves best for reference in describing further the nature of the winding surface that the present invention makes possible.

The flattened portions 20, which characterize the winding surface of the present invention, are proportioned in sidewise extent so as to obtain Vthe appreciable shortening of the beginning yarn wraps that has already been mentioned above. This shortening should ordinarily be of the order of about 0.5 to 1.0% of the length that the wraps would assume if the winding surface were not relieved, and while it may be permissible or desirable to decrease or increase the relative amount of shortening in a given case, it will be apparent from FIG. 2 that the width of the flattened portions 20 Willbasically determine the amount vof shortening obtained, as the periphery across these flattened portions 20 is obviously lessened in relation to the circumference of core 10 as their width is increased.

In addition, it should be noted from FIG. 2 that the flattened portions 2d are preferably formed with a transverse or lateral curvature about a radius, such as is indicated at R, which exceeds the radius of core lil, so that the portions 20 are crowned for more intimate contact with yarn windings wrapped thereon. Usually it will be best to form all of the flattened portions 20 with a uniforrn central depth, as illustrated in FlG. 3, so that the crowning radius R will vary at different positions lengthwise of the core 10.

The length or vertical extent of each flattened portion 29 is proportioned so as to cause any beginning yarn wrap laid thereover to cross at least one of the vertical sides that merge with the conical-surface of core 10, but is limited so as not toV allow any given yarn wrap to cross both vertical sides of all of the flattened portions 20 crossed. If a yarn wrap is allowed to cross both the top and bottom horizontal sides of a flattened portion 20, it tends to assume a zigzag Vpath that may actually be longer, rather than shorter, than the path it would assume on a continuous conical surface;V while, if the yarn wraps are allowed to cross both vertical sides of all thecrossed flattened portions 2B, the result is to lose or lessen the advantage of a knobby effect at the Winding surface that is obtained when any given yarn wrap is caused to cross the attened portions 20 differentially.

This differential crossing of the yarn wraps is indicated in FIG. l, in which the general path that might be followed by the first two beginning yarn warps Z and Z is illustrated diagrammatically. As seen in FIG. l, the rst beginning wrap Z originates from a transfer tail T that has been initially wound at the groove 16 provided therefor adjacent the lower end of core 10. Beyond the transfer tail T, the beginning wrap Z starts its spiral path about the Winding surface Y of the core 10, ,as directed by the traverse used for the yarn package being built. If the path of this yarn wrap Z is followed in FIG. l, it will be seen to cross nine of the flattened portions 26 without crossing both vertical sides of more than four of them; and upon reversal of the winding traverse to lay the succeeding wrap Z in place, it will be seen that substantially the same proportionate relation is maintained with respect to the attened portions 20 that it crosses.

The result is to produce the knobby effect mentioned above in the aggregate surface disposition of the beginning wraps as more and more are laid in place, and while this effect disappears at the surface of the yarn package when it begins to build up substantially, it remains as the characteristic disposition of the beginning wraps until the effect of the Winding surface :relief is obscured and appears to assist materially in securing these wraps against sloughing and fouling. At the saine time, the flattened portions 2G facilitate withdrawal of the yarn windings because the top edges thereof present a rounded gradually rising contour (see FIG. 2) that sheds the spiral yarn wraps readily as they are pulled thereover during withdrawal.

A winding core 10 formed with flattened portions 29 according to the present invention may also be advantageously invested with an overall roughening throughout the winding surface Y, including the portions Ztl. It has previously been proposed to roughen winding core surfaces to provide against yarn slippage, but the combination of roughening with flattened portions 2t) in accordance with the present invention adords a materially better result than can be obtained with roughening alone. This better result is obtained both because the flattened portions 20 serve alone to provide an effective yarn securing action in a manner which readily allows the further aid of roughening to be added; and because the winding surface relief at the attened portions 2i) protects the roughening thereat fromwear, so that its effectiveness is made much more persistent than is usual.

The degree of rouglitening that is referred to here is of a degree such as to present a frictional resistance to yarn slippage at the winding surface, and such as is exemplified suitably by a roughness measurement of the order of 150 microinches (based on R.M.S. units, i.e., the average root mean square roughness in microinches), although this example is purely representative and might be varied by at least as much as from one-half to double the measurement indicated. Such roughening is readily provided by forming they core l0 of molded plastic and obtaining the roughening as the impression of a sandblasted mold cavity over a lengthwise extent such as is indicated at X in FIG. l. A suitable plastic material for this purpose is polypropylene, Ywhich affords excellent strength and scuif resistance and general durability.

Finally, itshould be noted that a core 1t) embodying the present invention may be readily adapted to s erve as a carrier for dye packages simply by wall perforations (not shown) at the winding surface through which dye liquor may have access from the interior of the core 1i) to a yarn package wound thereon. These perforations may be added suitably in a supplementary manner throughout the winding surface, or the flattened portions 20 may themselves be formed as perforations and still serve the same yarn securing purpose described above, although the desirable crowning of these portions 2i? wouid not then be possible.

The present invention has been described in detail above for purposes of illustration only, and is not intended to be limited by this description or otherwise except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a textile yarn package of the type that is wound through surface contact with a winding drum and in which each yarn wrap follows a relatively high-pitch traverse extending from end to end of the package, the improvement which comprises a winding core having a body member presenting an exterior surface of revolution on which yarn may be wound to form a package and which has portions thereof substantially relieved in a pattern that provides for adequate winding drum contact continuously about the circumference of said body member at said surface of revolution while modifying said winding surface significantly so that the beginning wraps of a textile yarn package wound thereon are all appreciabiy shortened in relation to the length that said wraps would assume if said winding surface were not relieved and in differential relation to said pattern of relief and to each other.

2. In combination with a textile yarn package of the type that is wound through surface contact with a Winding drum and in which each yarn wrap follows a relatively high-pitch traverse extending from end to end of the package, the improvement which comprises a winding core having a body member presenting an exterior surface of revolution on which yarn may be wound to form a package and which has portions thereof substantially flattened in a pattern that: (a) provides for adequate winding drum contact continuously about the circumference of said body member at said surface of revolution; (b) relieves said winding surface significantly in a manner that avoids subjecting the beginning wraps of a textile package to unduly localized pressure by said winding drum contact as they are wound on said body member; and (c) shortens the length of all of said beginning Wraps appreciably in relation to the length that would be required if said winding surface were not relieved and in differential relation to said pattern of relief and to each other.

3. In combination with a textile yarn package, the improvement defined in claim 2 and further characterized in that said attened portions are proportioned so as to obtain a lengthwise shortening of said beginning wraps in the order of 0.5 to 1.0%.

4. In combination with a textile yarn package, the improvement defined in claim 2 and further characterized in that said winding core is invested with an overall roughening throughout said winding surface, including said flattened portions.

5. In combination with a textile yarn package, the improvement defined in claim 4 and further characterized in that said winding surface roughening is in the order of 150 microinches in R.M.S. units.

6. In .combination with a textile yarn package, the improvement defined in claim 2 and further characterized in that said flattened winding surface portions are formed with a convex curvature circumferentially of said body member, which crowns said portions for more intimate contact with yarn windings wrapped thereon.

7. In combination with a textile yarn package, the improvement defined in claim 2 and further characterized in that said exterior surface of revolution is conical.

8. in combination with a textile yarn package of the type that is wound through surface Contact with a winding drum and in which each yarn Wrap follows a relatively high-pitch traverse extending from end to end of the package, the improvement which comprises a winding core having a conical body member presenting an exterior yarn winding surface in which a pattern of substantially iiattened portions is formed, each of said flattened portions merging sidewise at the .conical surface of said body member; having a sidewise extent that appreciably shortens the length of all beginning yarn wraps of a textile package wound on said body member, in relation to the length that would be required if said Winding surface were continuously conical; and, having a lengthwise extent sutiicient to cause any beginning yarn wrap laid thereover to cross at least one of said merging sides, but not so great as to allow said yarn wraps to cross both merging sides of all of said flattened portions crossed.

9. In combination with a textile yarn package of the type that is wound through surface contact with a winding drum and in which each yarn wrap follows a relatively high-pitch traverse extending from end to end of the package, the improvement which comprises a winding core having a conical body member presenting an exterior yarn winding surface that is relieved by a pattern of substantially attened portions, said iiattened portions being: (a) substantially rectangular in outline; (b) arranged in a substantial checkerboard pattern predominantly throughout said winding surface; (c) proportioned in sidewise extent for appreciably shortening the length of all beginning yarn wraps on said body member in relation to the length that would be required if said winding surface were not relieved; (d) extended lengthwise sufficiently to cause any beginning yarn Wrap laid over any iiattened portion to cross at least one side of said iiattened portion, but not so much as to allow said beginning yarn wrap to cross both sides of all iiattened portions crossed; and (e) spaced so that adequate winding drum contact iS afforded continuously about the circumference of said body member.

l0. In combination with a textile yarn package, the improvement defined in claim 9 and further characterized in that said iiattened Winding surface portions are transversely arcuate at a radius exceeding that of said conical body member.

ll. In combination with a textile yarn package, the improvement defined in claim 9 and further characterized in that said body member is invested with an overall roughening throughout said winding surface, including said attened portions, of the order of about microinches in R.M.S. units.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 172,510 Simmons Jan. 18, 1876 1,949,291 Barthelmes Feb. 27, 1934 2,429,431 Sloan Oct. 2l, 1947 2,793,822 Consoletti May 28, 1957 3,034,743 Hill May 15, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 551,241 Italy Nov. 17, 1956 UNITED STATES PATENT oEEICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No 31587335 November 24V 1964 Helmut Deussen lt is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column l line 29 strike out "delivery withdrawal' fromv the reserve package with" and insert in an orderly manner through the last run-off stages -wg line 54y for "warn" read yarn --5 column l.Y line 53,z for "roughtening" read roughening Signed and sealed this 27th day of April 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Aitesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A TEXTILE YARN PACKAGE OF THE TYPE THAT IS WOUND THROUGH SURFACE CONTACT WITH A WINDING DRUM AND IN WHICH EACH YARN WRAP FOLLOWS A RELATIVELY HIGH-PITCH TRAVERSE EXTENDING FROM END TO END OF THE PACKAGE, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES A WINDING CORE HAVING A BODY MEMBER PRESENTING AN EXTERIOR SURFACE OF REVOLUTION ON WHICH YARN MAY BE WOUND TO FORM A PACKAGE AND WHICH HAS PORTIONS THEREOF SUBSTANTIALLY RELIEVED IN A PATTERN THAT PROVIDES FOR ADEQUATE WINDING DRUM CONTACT CONTINUOUSLY ABOUT THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID BODY MEMBER AT SAID SURFACE OF REVOLUTION WHILE MODIFYING SAID WINDING SURFACE SIGNIFICANTLY SO THAT THE BEGINNING WRAPS OF A TEXTILE YARN PACKAGE WOUND THEREON ARE ALL APPRECIABLY SHORTENED IN RELATION TO THE LENGTH THAT SAID WRAPS WOULD ASSUME IF SAID WINDING SURFACE WERE NOT RELIEVED AND IN DIFFERENTIAL RELATION TO SAID PATTERN OF RELIEF AND TO EACH OTHER. 